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<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><FONT color=#0000ff>Good morning
Eleanor,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><FONT
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><FONT color=#0000ff>I recommend that
you read <SPAN class=046153200-21042008>- </SPAN></FONT></SPAN><SPAN
class=734370100-21042008><FONT color=#0000ff>Cataloging Cultural Objects, A
Guide to Describing Cultural Works and Their Images, by Murtha Baca, Patricia
Harpring, Elisa Lanzi, Linda McRae & Ann Whiteside on behalf of the Visual
Resources Association. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><FONT
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><FONT color=#0000ff>Collection Management
Systems (CMS) require constant updating, the idea that it can be done in one hit
is a bit of a furphy - One task is to codify knowledge/information but
it's equally important to facilitate people using the system.
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><FONT
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><FONT color=#0000ff>Personally I take that
the view that it's best to make a 'skeletal' record with an image, id number,
title & location and then 'flesh' out records over time - (this might
work well with your collection :)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><FONT
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><FONT color=#0000ff>Unless
you're working alone you'll probably need written procedure manuals &
agreed 'authorities' as its
all about sharing the knowledge of people<SPAN
class=046153200-21042008>. People n</SPAN>eed to be reading<SPAN
class=046153200-21042008> </SPAN>/<SPAN class=046153200-21042008>
</SPAN>writing on the same page.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><FONT
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><FONT color=#0000ff>I recommend you use
specific collection management software rather than modifying generic database
software to suit<SPAN class=046153200-21042008>.</SPAN></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN
class=046153200-21042008></SPAN></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN
class=046153200-21042008>You should also </SPAN><SPAN
class=046153200-21042008>catalogue by inventory rather than attempt to fix up
bad data - its quicker just to start again. </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN
class=046153200-21042008></SPAN></FONT></SPAN><SPAN
class=734370100-21042008><FONT color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN
class=046153200-21042008>Keep asking yourself the question</SPAN>
'What am I cataloguing?<SPAN class=046153200-21042008>
</SPAN></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><FONT
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><SPAN class=046153200-21042008><FONT
color=#0000ff>Spend time planning / initiating the
project</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><SPAN class=046153200-21042008><FONT
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><SPAN class=046153200-21042008><FONT
color=#0000ff>Ask for a pay rise now</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><FONT
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN class=734370100-21042008>Don't hesitate to
contact me</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN
class=734370100-21042008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN class=734370100-21042008>Some years ago I
electronically </SPAN><SPAN class=734370100-21042008>catalogued a
collection with some affiliation to Melbourne University, the Cunningham Dax
Collection.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><FONT
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><FONT
color=#0000ff>regards</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><FONT
color=#0000ff></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=734370100-21042008><FONT color=#0000ff>Nat
Gorman</FONT></SPAN></DIV><!-- Converted from text/rtf format --></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV><!-- Converted from text/rtf format -->
<P><SPAN lang=en-au><FONT size=2>-----------------</FONT></SPAN> <BR><SPAN
lang=en-au><FONT size=2>Registrar </FONT><FONT color=#800000 size=2>|</FONT>
<FONT size=2>Philatelic</FONT></SPAN> <BR><SPAN lang=en-au><B><FONT
size=2>t:</FONT></B><FONT size=2> + 61 3 9299 4570</FONT><FONT color=#800000
size=2>|</FONT><FONT size=2></FONT><B> <FONT size=2>e:</FONT></B><FONT size=2>
nathaniel.gorman@auspost.com.au</FONT></SPAN> </P><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left><FONT
face=Tahoma size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B>
can-talk-bounces@collectionsaustralia.net
[mailto:can-talk-bounces@collectionsaustralia.net] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Eleanor
Victoria Brignell<BR><B>Sent:</B> Friday, 18 April 2008 11:25 AM<BR><B>To:</B>
can-talk@collectionsaustralia.net<BR><B>Subject:</B> [can-talk] Cataloguing
Zoology Specimens<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV id=idOWAReplyText44825 dir=ltr>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>I am working with a
collection of zoological specimens at the University of Melbourne. We are
about to undertake the (somewhat daunting) task of cataloguing the collection
for the first time.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2>I was wondering if anyone had experience
with similar collections and could recommend a list of fields to include in
our database. Obviously we recognise how important it is to capture as
much information as possible about each objects from the very beginning so
there is no need to 'double back' and add more information at a later
stage.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2>I would appreciate any advice you can
give,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2>Eleanor Brignell</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2></FONT> </DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=idSignature86244 dir=ltr>
<DIV RE><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#008000 size=2>--- The Tiegs
Museum</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV RE><FONT face=Arial color=#008000 size=2>Department of
Zoology</FONT></DIV>
<DIV RE>
<DIV RE>
<DIV RE>
<DIV class=MsoNormal><STRONG><SPAN lang=EN-AU
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT color=#008000>University of
Melbourne</FONT></SPAN></STRONG></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"></font></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"></font></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"></font></p><p><font face="Arial" size="2"></font></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">Australia Post is committed to providing our customers with excellent service. If we can assist you in any way please telephone 13 13 18 or visit our website.</font></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">The information contained in this e-mail communication may be proprietary, confidential or legally professionally privileged. It is intended exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. You should only read, disclose, re-transmit, copy, distribute, act in reliance on or commercialise the information if you are authorised to do so. Australia Post does not represent, warrant or guarantee the integrity of this e-mail communication has been maintained nor that the communication is free of errors, virus or interference. </font></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">If you are not the addressee or intended recipient please notify us by replying direct to the sender and then destroy any electronic or paper copy of this message. Any views expressed in this e-mail communication are taken to be those of the individual sender, except where the sender specifically attributes those views to Australia Post and is authorised to do so.</font></p><p><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#009933" size="2">Please consider the environment before electing to print this e-mail.</font></p><p />
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